Maserati Remembers Third-Gen Quattroporte, Probably The Most Stylish Presidential Car Ever Made

Maserati is not the first brand that comes to mind when one thinks of presidential cars.

That’s a bit undeserved because the Italian marque has been in this game for almost four decades. It all started on December 14, 1979, when the Modena-based brand showcased the freshly-launched third-generation Quattroporte, in both manual and automatic transmission versions, to Italian President Sandro Pertini.

Penned by Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, the third-generation Maserati Quattroporte was the first completely new car designed during the De Tomaso management period (1976-1993). While inspired by the original Quattroporte from 1963, the Tipo AM 330 generation had a less sporty and more formal appearance, making it a strong candidate for a presidential car.

The Quattroporte must have left a lasting impression with the Italian President because in 1982 Maserati received an order for the construction of an armored Quattroporte presidential limousine. The car was delivered in 1983 in a combination of “Dark Aquamarine” exterior with beige velvet interior.

Besides the armoring, one of Sandro Pertini’s requests was for Maserati to fit a large ashtray with pipe holder between the rear seats. Ah, the 1980s… The carmaker obliged and modified the rear bench seat to create it. The Quattroporte special was also fitted with a bar cabinet, a telephone system, and an intercom for communication with people outside the car.

The cabin was completely armored and bulletproof thanks to high-strength manganese steel plating. Made of polycarbonate, the armored windows were 31-mm (1.2-in) thick and were electrically operated. The roof also opened electrically above the rear seats to allow the President to stand up and greet crowds while on the move.

That time Enzo Ferrari refused to get too close to the presidential Maserati

Sandro Pertini used the Quattroporte on all public occasions, including his historic visit to the Ferrari factory in Maranello on May 29, 1983. What happened then entered folklore as many stories involving Enzo Ferrari did. Protocol required that once the car entered the plant, the host should approach the presidential vehicle.

However, Enzo Ferrari stopped about 10 meters (33 feet) from the car, leaving the elderly President Pertini no option but to get out of the Quattroporte and walk over to the Ferrari boss. The reason why “Il Commendatore” did not move was because of the long-standing rivalry between Ferrari and Maserati – he did not want to honor the Trident marque. Obviously, he couldn’t have anticipated that Maserati would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrari sixteen years later.

What you see in the photos is not the actual presidential Maserati Quattroporte but the “Royale” high-luxury version that launched in 1986 to mark the brand’s 60th anniversary. It brought interior upgrades such as soft leather power-adjustable seats, burr walnut trim, a revised dash with an analog clock, radio telephone between the front seats, and small stow-away folding tables in the rear doors.

The 4.9-liter V8 engine was also boosted by 20 horsepower to 300 PS (296 HP). Only 51 cars were built with this trim, making the Royale the most sought-after third-generation Quattroporte. Production of the Quattroporte Tipo AM 330 ended in 1990, with Maserati building a total of 2,145 units in 11 years. The tradition that started with Sandro Pertini continues even today, with the current Italian President Sergio Mattarella using a brand new Maserati Quattroporte as his official ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmy6WNqnCkg